Lockport man arrested on sexual abuse charges

Suspect allegedly abused, assaulted a victim who was younger than age 13

A Lockport man was arrested by Romeoville police and then taken to jail on charges of predatory criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim under 13, according to court records.

About 6 a.m. Nov. 12, Romeoville police responded to the 1300 block of Marquette Drive for a missing juvenile from Chicago, according to a news release from the Romeoville Police Department. Upon arrival, officers located the 12-year-old girl.

Officers learned the girl had met DeQ'haun Hinton, 20, of Lockport, over social media. Hinton allegedly brought the girl to the Super 8 Motel in Romeoville and sexually assaulted her, police said.

On Nov. 30, a warrant was issued Hinton's arrest. The warrant charged him with predatory criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Hinton was arrested by Romeoville police and taken to the Will County jail on Wednesday. He is being held at the jail on a $250,000 bond, of which he’ll need 10 percent to post bail.

Hinton allegedly committed his offenses on Nov. 11, according to the county jail log.

He faces a predatory criminal sexual assault charge, a class X felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison. He also faces an aggravated criminal sexual abuse charge, which is punishable by up to seven years in prison.

A call and message to Romeoville police Cmdr. John Ferdinardo for questions on the case was not immediately returned Thursday.

Hinton attended a bond hearing at the Will County Courthouse Thursday. He submitted an affidavit of assets and liabilities, and a Will County assistant public defender was appointed to represent him.